Oh my giddy aunt!
If you had to pick one story that was representative of the Second Doctor era, and to a lesser degree Doctor Who as a whole, The Krotons would be a pretty good pick for that.
The story is fairly straight forward. The Doctor and his companions land on a new planet (represented by a quarry) and go to meet the natives. They are captured by the natives (Gonds) and learn that they are being oppressed by an outside force (The Krotons). The Doctor is drawn in to help the natives against the oppressors. He or his companions are captured but spared due to either a need (more brain power) or a previously unknown weakness (only two Krotons and low power) that can be exploited. The Doctor escapes and crafts a solution based on this weakness (sulfuric acid). Hijinx ensue where the Doctor and/or his companions are captured and he uses the weakness to destroy or drive away the oppressors (melt them with the acid). He then leaves shortly afterwards, avoiding the local politics that are implied to step in.
You would think that in following such a basic formula, the story would be boring. If it had been stretched beyond four episodes, it probably would have. But it kept the story tight and Robert Holmes kept the script peppered with fairly interesting dialogue. We are even treated to the Doctor saying "Oh, my giddy aunt" in episode 3. This story also introduced the actor Philip Madoc, who appeared in several more Doctor Who stories, probably best known as the War Lord in The War Games.
So, while this story is fairly paint by the numbers, it is still entertaining. Not one that I would feel a strong urge to go back and watch again, but still enjoyable.
Overall personal score: 3 out of 5
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